Voluntary Dental Insurance Plans
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You listen to the needs of your employees. We listen to you.
Securing peace of mind for your people can help secure your business.
With studies finding a direct correlation between employee benefits and job satisfaction, it’s no wonder more employers are looking to expand their offerings.
So if you tell us your employees are asking for dental insurance plans, but that offering an employee group dental plan in which you, the employer, pay most of the employee premium costs, is cost-prohibitive, there’s still a solution.
It’s called voluntary dental insurance. Voluntary dental insurance usually requires a majority contribution from employees enrolled in the plan.
A voluntary dental insurance policy from Higginbotham can benefit your employees and your organization.
Shopping for dental insurance plans can be laborious.
That’s why we’re here to support you throughout your decision-making process; answering your questions and presenting options tailored to your situation.
At Higginbotham, we start with listening and end with custom solutions.
And we don’t stop there.
No matter what employee benefits you decide on, we’ll get you covered on day one and deliver year-round value with our Day Two Services®. By working hard to understand your priorities, we make policies personal so you can worry less and accomplish more.
Learn about our values-based approach to caring for your business and your people when you speak with a Higginbotham dental insurance specialist.
If you’ve considered offering dental insurance to your employees, you likely heard about “group” dental plans and “voluntary” dental plans.
In most cases, an employee group dental plan refers to dental insurance in which the employer pays most of the employee premium costs.
Some group dental plans are 100 percent employer-paid, but most rely on cost-sharing between employers and employees.
On the other hand, voluntary benefits, such as voluntary dental plans, usually require a majority contribution from the employee. However, a dental insurance plan with some level of contribution from an employer may still be considered voluntary.
Outside of lower premium costs, a voluntary dental plan functions like a traditional dental health maintenance organization plan (DHMO) or preferred provider organization plan (DPPO).
DHMOs and DPPOs offer similar dental coverage, with one key difference. The difference between a DHMO and DPPO is how benefits and medical service providers are accessed.
A DHMO requires the appointment of an in-network primary care dentist before services can be rendered. These primary dentists act as both the go-to service provider and a portal of care for the policyholder, referring oral care specialists only as they see fit. There are no out-of-network benefits with a DHMO.
A DPPO offers more flexibility because the employee is free to visit any in-network dentist or specialist, and it provides benefits if care is accessed out of network.
While DHMOs are generally a more affordable type of dental insurance, the added flexibility of DPPOs may justify the additional cost for some. Differences in access to care aside, both dental plans typically use a similar formula for basic, preventative, major and orthodontic care.
Most group and voluntary policies cover 100 percent of preventive care costs, but coverage decreases the more specialized services become. While voluntary insurance typically pays similar benefits to group alternatives, it’s more likely to require a waiting period for certain treatments and services.
This helps control costs and maintain the financial integrity of the plan for other employees.
Voluntary dental insurance functions like group and individual coverage purchased on the private market. While coverage can help pay for a broad range of dental services and secure considerable savings for employees, some plans have limitations and exclusions.
Plans can typically help with the cost of:
Whether employees are required to pay the full cost or not, voluntary dental insurance plans can help secure dental care access for employees while saving them money through group discounts.
The group rates offered by an insurance carrier to employers purchasing multiple policies at the same time can help employers negotiate a better premium price for employees interested in these voluntary policies.
Talk to an employee benefits specialist today to find out how a voluntary dental insurance policy from Higginbotham can benefit your employees and your organization.
A great plan starts with a conversation. Talk to a Higginbotham dental insurance specialist about what you need.
Voluntary dental insurance is an employee benefit that allows employees to elect dental coverage offered through their workplace. Employees typically pay most or all of the premium, but employers may also contribute depending on the plan design.
Both voluntary and group dental plans provide access to dental coverage. The primary difference may be how the plan is funded, with voluntary plans generally placing a greater share of the premium cost on participating employees. With a traditional group dental plan, the employer typically pays most or all of the employee premium costs.
A dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) requires employees to choose an in-network primary dentist who coordinates care and provides specialist referrals. A dental preferred provider organization (DPPO) generally allows employees to visit any in-network dentist or specialist and may also provide some out-of-network benefits.
Depending on the policy, voluntary dental insurance may help pay for preventive care, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, crowns, bridges, oral surgery and orthodontic treatment. Coverage limits, waiting periods and exclusions vary by plan.
Voluntary dental insurance allows employers to expand their benefits offerings without paying most of the premium cost. Employees may also benefit from group pricing, access to dental coverage and potential savings on eligible dental services.